A gym, a brass band and the Benjamin Foundation are among the groups and projects given a boost in the latest distribution of funds from a council fund.

North Norfolk District Council’s (NNDC) Big Society Fund (BSF) has handed out six awards totalling £51,289.90.

These include £15,000 to the Lighthouse Charity Trust in Sheringham towards the refurbishment and equipment for a Men’s Shed project, at the former St John Ambulance Hall in Wyndham Street, to combat isolation and loneliness among men.

The charity’s Peter Farley said: “We are delighted the council shares our concern to tackle loneliness and isolation, which is especially acute in rural areas.

“It is a tremendously encouraging boost to our determination to do all we can to eliminate the suffering such deprivation causes.”

Fakenham Town Band gets £7,327.14 to purchase two Besson cornets, a tenor horn, a baritone horn and a set of cymbals.

And the Friends of Langham Dome, £5,000 towards works to enable a replica Spitfire to be installed and displayed outside.

Meanwhile, Stalham Community Gym gets £4,170.76 to buy additional equipment, and Wood Norton village hall, £9,792, to purchase play equipment, including a swing set and a spinning-top roundabout.

John Lee, NNDC Leader, said: “Being chairman of the BSF panel is by far the best part of my job. To be able to support our communities with these grants is an absolute pleasure.

“I’d encourage any groups across the district to get in touch to see if we can support them. Being able to provide funding directly into our local parishes to help improve people’s lives in even the smallest way is extremely pleasing.”

Since the fund started in 2012, NNDC has awarded more than £1.6m to 219 community projects.

Completed applications to be submitted to the September panel need to be received by July 31.